Bible Study

Rebellion and Recovery

Why do believers rebel against the Lord? And how can we return to fellowship with Him after a season of feeling distant? This study will help you answer these questions.

Causes of Rebellion

There are many different reasons that people walk away from God’s plan for their lives. We will look at three common motivations for disobeying Him.

1. Impatience

God promised Abram a son, and initially he believed the Lord (Gen. 15:4-6).

• Why did Abram decide to have relations with Hagar (Gen. 16:1-3)?

   

• What was the immediate fruit of Abram’s lack of trust in God (v. 4)?

   

• Describe the prediction the Lord made over Ishmael’s life (v. 11-12).

Sometimes in our impatience, we try to make God’s promise happen apart from His timing and leadership. In Abram’s case, the Lord made it clear that Ishmael was not the chosen son
(Gen. 17:18-21).

• Read Psalm 27:13-14. What is the key to being able to wait on God’s timing?

   

• How can you apply this to what you are waiting for in this season of your life?

2. Fear

God revealed to Moses that He was going to give the people of Israel the land of Canaan (Num. 13:2).

• Describe how the spies reported about the fruit of the land (Num. 13:25-27).

   

• What did most of them say would be a problem (Num. 13:26-31)?

   

• How did the people respond to the spies’ report (Num. 14:1-8)?

   

• For their lack of faith, what was the punishment for that generation (Num 14:27-32)? For the ten doubting spies (Num. 14:37)?

   

• Belatedly, the people decided they would attack the land after all. What was the result (Num. 14:45)?

   

• What does this consequence teach about obedience to the Lord’s commands?

Instead of simply obeying God’s instructions, many people focus on circumstances and look at all the reasons why His plans will fail.

• Read Psalm 62:5-8. What three actions does this Psalm suggest for times when you feel afraid (v.5, 8)?

   

• Write a prayer committing your fear(s) to the Lord and reaffirming your trust in Him to provide the very best for you.

3. Greed

At the battle of Jericho, God commanded the Israelites not to take the spoils of war for themselves
(Josh. 6:17-19).

• The next battle they fought ended in an embarrassing defeat. What did God reveal was the reason
  (Josh. 7:11-12)?

   

• What had Achan kept (vv. 19-21)? Why?

   

• Why do you think Achan’s punishment was so severe (vv. 25-26)?

Read 1 Timothy 6:6-11.

• According to verse 9, what happens to those who want to get rich?

   

• What do you think Paul means by the “many griefs” that torment those who focus on becoming wealthy (v. 10)?

   

• How can you apply verse 11 to your life this week?

The Cure for Rebellion

1. Confession

Sum up what the following verses teach about God’s response to our confession of wrongdoing:

• Psalm 32:5

   

• Proverbs 28:13

   

Ultimately, confessing is agreeing with God that He was right.

Is there an area of your life where you have rebelled against God’s will for you? If so, don’t wait to confess your sin to Him. He will be faithful to forgive you (1 John 1:9).

2. Repentance

Confession admits sin; repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of behavior (see Ezek. 18:30).

Isaiah 30:15 says, “The Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.’”

• In your own words, what is the fruit of genuine repentance, according to this verse?

   

• Why do you think repentance brings such results?

Although God will forgive us every time we commit a particular sin, our intimacy with Him will never grow to its full potential unless we are willing to repent.

3. Restoration

Rebellion against God harms every aspect of our lives—including relationships, careers, finances, and health. Restoration is the process of returning to wholeness in every area.

• Zaccheus’s desire to make restitution demonstrated that his change of heart was genuine. What did he promise those whom he had cheated?

Restoration can be others-centered—as in the example above—or it may mean a time of physical, emotional, or spiritual healing that is more personal in nature.

• Have you been in a period of rebellion? If so, what wrongs should be set right? Which areas of your life need to return to a healthier balance?

Closing: The best way to guard against wandering from God’s will is to remain in close fellowship with Him through daily Scripture reading. That way, your mind will be renewed with His perspective, and Satan’s ability to deceive you will be diminished.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your grace, which makes a way for me to return to fellowship with You. Give me the humility to confess my sin, the perspective to repent of it, and the boldness to pursue restoration where needed. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.